How to fix a riding mower whose blades won't turn on. (Electric PTO)

Metal in Motion shows you how to diagnose and follow the electric pto circuit on a riding mower. The customer said the blades shut off and wouldn't turn on again. Hope this helps guys!
website- www.metalinmotionshop.com
instagram - / metalinmotionshop

[@daytoncastleman9463]

Great walk-through. Troubleshooting got me going again!

[@DK-rj5ql]

I have been viewing a lot of videos, trying to get an idea on my “XT2” Cub Cadet Enduro, (apparently there are none). This video, and others of yours, have helped my with fixing the electrical issues my tractor has. ‘No PTO engagement. Ty! Great video!

[@craiggood9364]

Thanks for walking through the diagnostics. Very helpful info.

[@furbadoodle]

Thank you Josh. Your video helped me identify an electrical connector that had come loose.

[@MrRudyc]

Great job young man. Thanks for your time and patience

[@nickb6768]

Thanks for helping me fix my mower. You absolutely rock!!!

[@seriously3130]

Thanks for this very comprehensive and well explained solution! Really appreciate it brother.

[@lynncranford4017]

Your explanation of the wiring harness fixed my issue. My headlight wire had melted and shorted ignition switch and selinoid. By rewiring the lights, pto came on. Thanks again

[@user-un8zl4xi9z]

You saved me from taking my mower into service. Made trouble shooting easy. Thanks

[@flaron352]

Great instruction. My blades just stopped. Recently put new switch..will attempt to run test as shown. Mechanic thinks it's a bad PTO clutch. Scott's s2554

[@matthewsiebert9340]

This is an awesome video - super helpful. Thank you!

[@samlondon7281]

i know it's pretty off topic but does anyone know of a good site to watch newly released series online ?

[@mohammadesteban6627]

@Sam London i use Flixzone. You can find it by googling =)

[@novajamie9895]

@Mohammad Esteban Definitely, I've been watching on Flixzone for months myself :)

[@samlondon7281]

@Mohammad Esteban thank you, I went there and it seems like a nice service :D I really appreciate it !!

[@mohammadesteban6627]

@Sam London Happy to help :)

[@wesleyjoyce6061]

Really thorough walkthru, thank you! I have a similar Husqvarna and can't get the PTO clutch to engage. Previously I could get it to engage after not using mower for days. When I did use it, it would work until I stopped to maybe move something out the way, but wouldn't restart seconds later. Not I can't get it to engage at all a few months later dealing with it being sometimeish. So now, if I run wires directly from battery terminals to the PTO wires (both blue), I hear the clutch engage. However, when running the mower, I can't get it to engage with the PTO switch. I get 12 volts down the harness when I turn on the power switch and pull up PTO switch. I saw your other video and started tightening the three bolts on the clutch. Well, when I turned on the engine, it wouldn't even cutover, it sounded like it was jammed. I loosened the bolts, and the engine started, but I got smoke. I quickly realized I shouldn't have tightened the bolts, so I backed it out until I didn't smell smoke or notice a metal-to-metal sound. So back to the problem, I can't get the PTO clutch to engage with engine off, or engine on and parking break on or off. I am getting 12 volts down the harness. What should I check for now?

[@wesleyjoyce6061]

Turns out my ground wire in the 8-inch two-wire harness connected in between the mower harness and clutch two wires were bad. This video definitely helped me by teaching how/what to test and where.

[@rex-bb6nb]

@@wesleyjoyce6061 what did you have to do then, replace the bad wires with a new harness?

[@genemullaney6751]

Today, couldn't get a new switch. Out of stock. So l cut the switch , at the lower weld, pulled the lower portion out. Crimped the carriage closer together & reinstalled. Glued weld back together and reinstalled. Mowed the lawn! Took less than 30 mins. I used a hack saw and was careful of the depth/thickness works great!

[@dustincowan1385]

Awesome video bro thanks

[@HokieJuju]

Great video!!

[@kylemorgan1008]

What if I have power and hear it try to engage but nothing from the blades. And they stopped during operation. Cable looks good to clutch.

[@charlieduggan917]

OUTSTANDING

[@chadfield376]

I had to re-watch your vid and caught what I was doing wrong on my PTO clutch issue; my clutch was only “activating” (with engine off) when key was turned to start position only when PTO should “click” with key in on/run position. With knowing this, it tells me I have the wrong “used” key switch installed. When putting this used key switch in, even though spade pattern is the same, their order is prob different IE the B and M spades are in a different location kind of thing.

[@dougcunningham1449]

Great vid, this helped me out alot just wish the switch didnt cost so much lol

[@philliphall5198]

If a new switch melts it’s a fact the pto or a direct short in wires to it

[@fawzye22]

Great mower with class

[@matiasrios2719]

I have a John Deere zero turn. It starts but dies as soon as I do anything; release the brake, pull the handles in or pull the pot. Any suggestions? I have tested the seat switch, the clutch, the pro switch like you show on your videos.

[@gordonnewnam8749]

Good job

[@nakedbobber1666]

Ok everything checks out right and the pto button checks out good just like your video to check them and wheat would be the problem then?

[@roadrashr6]

I have some mower. My blades will disengauge while driving. Any suggestions. Switch is replaced clutch looks good.

[@audiohazard1203nut]

This helped! Looks like 1 of my wires was chewed up by the pulley. So I hjave to splice it.

[@wickedrepairs8527]

Great video! I have 1 giving me issues. If I apply 12 volts to the clutch it should engage, correct? I have voltage coming out of the switch to the clutch harness connector, and grounds seem good. If I apply battery voltage straight to the clutch it does nothing. Thanks!

[@metalinmotionshop]

Correct. I usually take a red and a black jumper wire and connect one to the negative of the battery and the red to the positive of the battery. The go straight to the pto (clamping one aligator lead clip on the pto terminal and then tapping the other jumper to momentarily turn the pto on) That way Im not leaving any room for error by using the mower wiring. Some clutches are adjustable and if the air gap gets to large they won’t kick on. If the pto is good, adjusting them can make them work again.

[@wickedrepairs8527]

@@metalinmotionshop thank you so much! I have one in the shop not engaging. I will check the adjustment and see what happens. I appreciate it! Subscribed! I do mostly motorsports repair but have been doing a lot of small engine stuff too so any knowledge I can gain is great! The switch seems to be ok, voltage is there and continuity is good. The machine starts and runs no problem. Thanks!!

[@wickedrepairs8527]

@@metalinmotionshop thanks again! Just adjusted the air gap, it was way off, and mowed almost half acre at my house with no issues!

[@metalinmotionshop]

@@wickedrepairs8527 That’s awesome!! Great job!!

[@wickedrepairs8527]

@@metalinmotionshop thank you! I never had an issue with an electronic clutch before. Now I learned something new and fixed it fast thanks to you and your video!

[@kenogilvy2396]

Sweet thanks!

[@kensmith9821]

My problem: a stick jammed the middle blade which stopped the blades. After I removed the stick, when the pto is pulled there is a click, but the blades will not start. Also I noticed the blade belt is a little loose. Suggestions? Thanks in advance.

[@mikimiki195]

Which wires did you jump ? Two reds ??

[@Gabrielmtbgopro]

thank u a lot !!!

[@BrezzEasyy]

U show make a Lawn Mower electrical 101 video. Little hard to follow if we had to do all that at home on R own.... And break down like the 3 most common reasons Mower Blades won't run, etc....

[@georgebachovin4378]

Mine problem was just needed a new battery. Tractor started but pto would not start the blades.

[@philliphall5198]

If correct fuse blown mostly the on/off switch is overheating, if you put in biggest fuse you’ll melt switch because the pto unit is bad

[@tonymariani2599]

i had a problem getting my blades to engage. The clutch wasn't activating and the PTO switch was good. The key switch was good. Turns out it was a bad battery. The battery couldn't supply enough juice, even with the engine running, to get the clutch to engage.

[@profdev123]

I’m having the same problem did replacing the battery fix the issue long-term? I’m trying to decide if it’s my battery or the generator/alternator that charges it

[@profdev123]

When I have a battery booster running it will engage but it won’t engage which is the more running off the battery

[@tommanley2025]

thank you so much since I know that the switch is bad on my tractor.

[@irvinbrown5186]

Yes

[@flaron352]

I changed pto clutch but before connecting plug I started engine to check voltage at connector. When I pulled/engaged switch and checked voltage engine cut off. Not sure why deck is not attached yet. A 15amp mini fuse blew so engine wouldnt restart..not sure why it stalled. Before clutch crapped out when I engaged blades engine started to choke. ?????

[@metalinmotionshop]

🤔Were you sitting in the seat when you pulled the pto switch? If not, the mower will kill the engine. You can put a weight on the seat to trick it or you can check voltage at the pto pigtail with the key on engine off and pull the pto switch. It will supply power even with the engine off. Not sure why the fuse blew unless maybe when testing the pigtail the test leads touched each other and it blew. I’ve done that. As far as the engine choking when the pto is pulled...depending on what motor, I’ve seen a ignition coil go bad on one side (for a twin cylinder engine) and the motor boggs terribly or on some kohlers there is an accelerator pump on the carb that goes bad and it boggs when the pto is pulled. Hopefully you figure it out! Good luck👍🏻

[@flaron352]

@@metalinmotionshopthanks for reply. the seat kill switch is/has been disconnected.. I disassembled the steering wheel and panel, removed all switches, battery and cleaned all connections. Checked all wires and harness. Put everything back together. Installed new fuse. Checked voltage again at clutch connection and all good. Connected pto and it engaged. Reattached deck and everything all good.

[@metalinmotionshop]

Wow that’s some work! Awesome!!

[@keithdriggers9578]

Josh, i have a craftsman 50" riding mower i bought from Lowes a year or so ago (37 hours) blades won't engage, electric pto, to test the pto switch or key switch etc,, does it require someone to be in the seat to trip the safety switch? Thank You. Great tutorial.

[@metalinmotionshop]

Is it a steering wheel model or a Zero turn? Turning the key on supplies 12 volts to the pto switch, so you’ll need the key on for testing. First test I would do ( make sure the battery is charged) is unplug the pto pigtail and measure for 12 volts with key on and pto switch on. If not check fuses. Then check for 12 volts incoming and outgoing the pto switch. The pto switch usually has a separate circuit connected to the seat to kill the ignition coils for the spark plugs. Let me know what you find.

[@keithdriggers9578]

@@metalinmotionshop Hi Josh, it's a steering wheel model. Ok here's what I found, getting power everywhere, but it'll only engage if that stupid backup mudule is in safe reverse?? Would that be a bad module? if so can I bypass it? I did the whole key switch test it was all good. It starts normally , just the blade engagement. Thank you

[@metalinmotionshop]

@@keithdriggers9578 hmm. I assume it’s a hydrostatic tranny. I would check that the foot pedal is returned to neutral and not stuck in reverse. I would also check the reverse switch for that gas pedal to make sure it’s not being pressed. You could try pressing the pedal forward and see if that makes any difference with the pto switch. Keep me posted.

[@keithdriggers9578]

@@metalinmotionshop I'll check it out tomorrow after work. Thanks Josh

[@keithdriggers9578]

@@metalinmotionshop Hi Josh, just wanted to tell you I found the problem, it was the reverse safety blade cutoff switch on the transmission, I unplugged it and now it works like a charm. I changed the oil, filters, plugs and blade today, hopefully she'll keep running for awhile ( Can't afford a new one). LOL. Thanks for all your help. Keith

[@tigergreg8]

I thought it was the switch when my ZTR blades wouldn't engage, but when I put a new one in, it ran for a while and blew the switch out.

[@metalinmotionshop]

My in-laws Scag ZTR did that too. They replaced the switch twice and then found out the pto was burning it out prematurely. Once they switched the PTO out they haven’t had any problems since.

[@tigergreg8]

@@metalinmotionshop Thanks 😄

[@KathySheppard-gs9bj]

I have a manual riding mower and it quit and there's a black leather that's just loose dangling at the back it goes somewhere and I can't figure out where help me

[@metalinmotionshop]

Under your seat is a tag with a model and serial #. Send me that info and I’ll see if I can direct you. When you said it quit… did the engine shut off or did the mower stop moving?

[@philliphall5198]

Yes it’s best to AllWAYS check ohms every time, most of the time it’s a pto unit bad after charging out switch

[@rexhazzard901]

Great job. but my clutch is seized on.

[@diamonddriller01]

My one works but beeps and shuts down engine. So annoying. As soon as I pull pto switch clutch engages blades but beeps and kills engine

[@LucifersDeathSquad]

Why does the pto kill my battery ?

[@jerryp1970]

Is there a safety where it shuts the pto off if you're overworking the mower?

[@metalinmotionshop]

No not usually. If the pto pulls to many amps it can blow the fuse. Most switches are operator presence switches that won’t turn the pto on if someone is not on the machine.

[@jerryp1970]

@@metalinmotionshop yeah, this one just quit while I was mowing

[@jerryp1970]

@@metalinmotionshop are they repairable if they go bad, or just replaced? If you know?

[@metalinmotionshop]

If you have power and grounds getting to the pto and the pto isn’t kicking on, the wire is probably broken internally. The only solution is to buy a new pto. There is usually no fixing them past adjusting the clutch gap on some models.

[@jerryp1970]

@@metalinmotionshop poop, guess I'm outta luck😰

[@milesdavis5282]

Will a low battery cause this issue as well?

[@metalinmotionshop]

Yes absolutely. If your battery is old and tired and not taking a charge or your charging system isn’t working right…the pto will turn on until the battery voltage drops too low and will kick off. If your charging system is working you can let the motor run for several minutes and you can kick the pto on again but usually just for a minute or two and it will turn off again. Insuring that you have a good fully charged battery and a good charging system will keep it working.

[@milesdavis5282]

Thank you so much!!! I can’t believe you responded. I appreciate that!!

[@Xsparta7X]

I have toro 36 inch and when I pull up the pto switch to turn the blades the whole machines turns off I tested the switch and it works but have no idea why it turns off

[@metalinmotionshop]

You most likely have another bad safety switch or a bad connection from the switch pigtail to the the switch. Is it a walk behind mower?

[@Xsparta7X]

@@metalinmotionshop no I sit on it

[@metalinmotionshop]

@@Xsparta7X so I would check your seat switch and your left and right safety switches for the steering handles. I have several other videos on testing those safety switches as well. If you can access the back of the pigtails while the switch is installed and then push on the seat or move your handles to activate the switches while testing is better because it shows the switch is working as well as the pigtail connection is good.

[@carlthornton3076]

Very Good!... #61 ✝ {5-11-2022}

[@almostsk8terjamie]

Every time I turn the PTO on I blow a fuse!!! I have a new wiring harness, new ign switch, new pto switch, new pto clutch, all saftety switches are connected.. The only thing I haven't checked is the voltage regulator. 2005 LTH 1542..... HELP!!!!

[@metalinmotionshop]

Ok I need to know that the parts you ordered are for that exact mower. How did you pick those parts (wiring harness, key switches, pto, and pto switch, etc). Did you get them online or at a shop? They are brand new or new to you? Lets try and verify that we have the right parts first. Can you send me the numbers on the tag under the seat? It should be a model and serial number of the machine.

[@almostsk8terjamie]

@@metalinmotionshop I got the ign. and pto switch from a dealer shop. wiring harness (532193376) on line and clutch from extreme out door online (X0519). The fuse blows without the clutch wire connected. I checked the old and new clutch, they read the same ohms. (96013000900 under the seat) The day this happened I was mowing in the middle of the yard, I didn;t hit anything, I was not turning or stopping or starting, the PTO had been engaged 15 minutes. No extreme loads or anything like that; It just died as if someone pulled off the plug wire!!! The only thing I have not checked is the voltage regulater?????? Starter and solenoid are 5/6 months old! THANK YOU!!

[@metalinmotionshop]

Ok so if the fuse is blowing without the pto hooked up then we know its nots the pto. Might as well leave the pto disconnected until we figure it out. Try not to disturb the wire harness to much as the short can go missing. I assume you’re running a 20 amp fuse? When the fuse blows its probably shutting off the little solenoid on the bottom of the carburetor and that is turning the motor off. Is the fuse blowing quickly and every time? When specifically does the fuse blow? Key one click on, or starting, or when you pull the pto switch?

[@almostsk8terjamie]

@@metalinmotionshop I forgot to mention that I found the volt gauge was melted/smoked. It was on the old harness. I have not replaced it.

[@almostsk8terjamie]

@@metalinmotionshop Fuse blows shortly after cranking and running for 20 seconds +/-. Sometimes before engaging pto, but definately everytime the pto is engaged!! Yes using 20 amp fuse.

[@duanebanks3125]

Where is the fuse for pto switch

[@metalinmotionshop]

Most mowers only have 1 main fuse which is either a 15 or 20 amp. It’s usually located around the battery sometimes clipped underneath the battery tray or on the wall.

[@geraldbankston347]

Gospel imperial heavy load

[@Mstreman53]

Too much too fast too haphazard, sorry

[@metalinmotionshop]

Welcome to my brain! Ill try to keep them sorted out in future vids. There is a actually a process Im following here. No power at pto pigtail- is there power at key?Getting through the key?Getting to the pto switch?Getting through the pto switch? Found problem.